Page 95 of Already Callin’ You Mine

Well, I mean, other than living it out for myself. This does kind of suck.

“Is that what you’re after today? Some really good angst?” Kenzie continues. “Because if so, I’ve got the perfect rec for you.”

“No, I need a…” Shit, how do I explain this?

It was one thing to tell Owen that I needed inspiration and was hoping that my favorite authors could provide it. It’s another thing to tell my little sister’s best friend, who also happens to be the wife of a country mega star. I’m not sure I want to blast my business out to the world like that.

“Jace needs to un-fuck up,” Owen offers for me.

“And you think your answer is here?”

I shrug. “Always works out for these guys. And it wasn’t so much that I think the answer will be there, but maybe lead me to it.”

Kenzie nods, pursing her lips as she thinks. The fact that she isn’t laughing at me soothes the worry inside me. At least the worry about this. It does nothing to halt the panic that I won’t be able to fix this. That I’m going to be left watching Presley and Otis from a distance, wanting what I can’t have.

“Sooo…” she starts. “Not to tell you how to live your life, but I’ll just say this. Sometimes it’s not always big things, but little things. Like showing up.”

I start to counter, to tell her I did show up. I found a solution to the babysitter problem. I had the answer. But then I stop.

Because that’s when it hits me. Like a big ol’ wrecking ball slamming into a building, demolishing everything in its wake.

I might have had an answer. But it wasn’t the answer.

I was solving a “problem” she didn’t have.

Instantly, my mind flashes back to the first time I went to her place. The smile on her face when I jumped in to help with Otis. When I heated up the food Miss Belle sent me with. The serene, yet glowing look on her face when she saw me doing the dishes. The way she lit up when I stayed and helped her while she was sick.

It was never about the lack of babysitter.

I think back to her text on Wednesday and all the things she said she had to do. Little Man’s doctor’s appointment, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, plus work. All by herself. With no time for herself.

Presley didn’t need me to ask my own mama to watch Otis so she could have a night out. She needs a night off.

And for someone else to do the damn dishes.

“Kenzie, you’re a genius.”

I reshelve the book and throw my arms around her. Kenzie squeaks, my enthusiasm catching her off guard.

“Glad I could be of assistance?”

Stepping back, I nod. “You were a huge help. I know what I need to do.”

“Gonna share?” Owen asks, turning the page in his book. Yeah, I knew he’d be sucked in to that one.

“Better, you’re gonna help.” I slap him on the back. “Right after you check that out so you can finish it.”

“I was just keepin’ myself entertained while you figured your life out.”

Ha, likely story.

I pluck the book from his hand and pass it to Kenzie. “He’ll take this one.”

“Good choice.” She winks, turning on her heel to head back to the loan desk.

“So, what’d you figure out?” Owen asks again, following our sweet town librarian.

“What I should have done to begin with. Show up.”